AD/S-PUMA/54 Amdt 2 Plug Doors (Cth)

AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVE

On the effective date specified below, and for the reasons set out in the background section, the CASA delegate whose signature appears below revokes Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD/S-PUMA/54 Amdt 1 and issues the following AD under subregulation 39.001(1) of CASR 1998.  The AD requires that the action set out in the requirement section (being action that the delegate considers necessary to correct the unsafe condition) be taken in relation to the aircraft or aeronautical product mentioned in the applicability section: (a) in the circumstances mentioned in the requirement section; and (b) in accordance with the instructions set out in the requirement section; and (c) at the time mentioned in the compliance section.

Eurocopter AS 332 (Super Puma) Series Helicopters

AD/S-PUMA/54 Amdt 2 Plug Doors 3/2008 DM

Applicability:

Model AS 332 helicopters versions C, C1, L, and L1, all serial numbers, equipped with one or two plug doors and which have not been modified in accordance with MOD 0726395 (Eurocopter AS 332 Service Bulletin No. 52.00.36).

Requirement:

Action in accordance with the technical requirements of EASA AD 2008-0005.

Note:  EUROCOPTER AS 332 Alert Service Bulletin No. 52.00.33 R2, or later EASA approved revision, refers.

Compliance:

As specified in the Requirement document.

This Amendment becomes effective on 25 January 2008.

Background:

The manufacturer received a report of the loss of a right hand plug door from an AS 332 L helicopter during in-flight door operation.  The aircraft was performing hover flight when a crew member unlocked the door for aerial photography.  The door was not found, and an examination of the elements on the airframe revealed that this event was caused by a hinge failure of the stop assembly of the middle rail.

Amendment 1 introduced Revision 1 of ASB No. 52.00.33.

Amendment 2 is issued in response to a new EASA AD, which retains the repetitive check requirements of DGAC AD F-2004-142 R1 (AD/S-PUMA/54 Amdt 1), which is superseded, amends the applicability section to clarify that as well as applying to an aircraft fitted with both LH and RH plug doors, it also applies to aircraft fitted with one plug door. More detailed check instructions are included, to be accomplished until incorporation of MOD 0726395. This modification will cancel the periodic inspection requirement and the prohibition of plug door operation in flight.

David Villiers
Delegate of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority

16 January 2008